First Nations Experience
Townsville’s proximity to jaw-droppingly beautiful national parks is another big tick in the box. But there’s much more to these World Heritage-listed rainforests than picturesque scenery and walking trails. For the rainforests’ Indigenous custodians, every mountain, creek and river is of great spiritual significance, to be respected and conserved for future generations.
Follow the road north past Ingham to reach Tully Gorge National Park and hike the ancient rainforest pathways of the Jirrbal People. Explore densely forested gorges, go white water kayaking on the Tully River rapids or soak up the views from the summit of Mount Tyson. (Just remember to take a leaf out of the locals’ book and leave everything exactly as you found it.)
While you’re in the neighbourhood, head to nearby Ravenshoe (the highest town in Queensland) for a free local history lesson at the Nganyaji Interpretive Centre. Here you can learn firsthand about the lives and heritage of the Jirrbal People: their culture, customs and practices.